Cup insert providing volume and flow regulation

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to an insert for a drinking vessel that limits the flow rate and volume of the liquid to be delivered to a user. The illustrative insert includes a cap for interfacing with the drinking vessel, the cap forming an outlet for delivery of the liquid, and a stem forming a reservoir for controlling the volume of the liquid to be delivered and a channel connecting the reservoir with the outlet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/846,446, filed May 10, 2019, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present application relates to volume and/or flow regulation of a drinking cup and, more specifically, to a cup insert that can be utilized with an existing cup to regulate the volume and flow of fluid delivery to a user.

Transitioning to a standard drinking cup from a bottle or other cup designed specifically for small children or infants is a milestone development. However, completing such a transition may come with difficulties. Similarly, the use of a standard drinking cup by an adult or child with disabilities may pose its own challenges. For example, the inability to firmly grasp a standard drinking cup may result in dropping the cup, leading to large spills and the loss of the entirety of the fluid previously contained by the cup. Otherwise, a standard drinking cup may introduce too much fluid to the user, which could overwhelm the user and result in aspiration. Similarly, a standard drinking cup may introduce fluid at an increased flow rate that may overwhelm the user and result in aspiration.

Prior attempts to solve the above presented problems are not comprehensive and/or may introduce new problems that could pose a risk to the user's health. For example, cups with lids are known in the art. However, these cups often have a free flow spout that is open during use, which may still lead to large spills and the loss of the entirety of the fluid contained by the cup if they are dropped during use. Additionally, these cups do not regulate the flow and volume of fluid delivery, which may still lead to the aspiration problems as described above. Alternately, cups including lids with straws and cups including regulating suckling inserts are known. However, these cups require, and therefore promote, a suckling or sucking behavior by the user that may hinder the transition of the user to a standard drinking cup and may further harm the user's gums or teeth. Alternate solutions are therefore desired.

The present disclosure relates to an insert for a drinking vessel that limits the flow rate and volume of the liquid to be delivered to a user. The illustrative insert includes a cap for interfacing with the drinking vessel, the cap forming an outlet for delivery of the liquid, and a stem forming a reservoir for controlling the volume of the liquid to be delivered and a channel connecting the reservoir with the outlet.

In an illustrative embodiment, an insert for use with a drinking vessel is provided, the insert including a cap having a floor and a splash guard disposed centrally on the cap, the splash guard covering and spaced apart from an outlet formed in the cap. The illustrative insert further includes a stem body coupled to the cap, and an opening formed in the stem body. The opening is in communication with a volume regulator for holding a predetermined amount of liquid, and a flow regulator is formed between the opening of the stem body and the outlet of the cap.

In another illustrative embodiment, an insert for use with a drinking vessel is provided, the insert including a cap having a floor and an outlet formed by the cap. The illustrative insert further includes a stem body coupled to the cap. The stem body includes a volume regulator and a flow regulator.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the insert of the present disclosure, the insert disposed within an illustrative drinking vessel;

FIG. 2 is a first perspective view of the insert of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a second perspective view of the insert of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the insert of taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1, the insert disposed within the illustrative drinking vessel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an additional cross-sectional view of the insert of FIG. 4, the illustrative drinking vessel shown tipped for use; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the insert taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described herein. The embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. Therefore, no limitation of the scope of the claimed invention is thereby intended. The present invention includes any alterations and further modifications of the illustrated devices and described methods and further applications of principles in the invention which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a cup or vessel 2 is shown together with an insert 100, the insert 100 positioned within the cup 2 in a utilization manner. The insert 100 illustratively includes a cap 102 configured to interface with the upper opening 3 of the vessel 2 and a downwardly extending stem 104 that is positioned within the interior of the vessel 2. The insert 100 may be molded as a unitary body, or, in other embodiments, the cap 102 and the stem 104 may be manufactured separately and later fixedly coupled by, e.g., permanent adhesive or welding. In such embodiments, a fully assembled insert 100 may be provided for a variety of alternately shaped and sized standard drinking cups. In another illustrative embodiment, the cap 102 may be removably coupled to the stem 104. For example, the cap 102 and the stem 104 may be manufactured separately and removably coupled at the time of use of the insert 100 through, e.g., threading or a latch connection. In such an embodiment, a seal (not shown) may be provided between the cap 102 and the stem 104 to ensure a fluid-tight connection.

Certain illustrative embodiments detailed herein allow for a one-size-fits-all-type of stem 104 that can be used with a variety of replaceable caps 102 which may be provided in shapes and sizes varying from what is shown in FIG. 1 to interface with a variety of alternately shaped and sized standard drinking cups. Alternate sizes and shapes of stems 104 can also be imagined. The insert 100 may fully or partially be constructed of a soft, pliable polymer, e.g., rubber, or alternate polymers, metal, or other materials. In some embodiments, the insert 100 may be constructed of mixed materials.

The cap 102 illustratively includes a cap floor 114 configured to cover a substantial portion of the upper opening 3 of the vessel 2 and an upper seal 116 that is configured to interact with an interior sidewall 4 of the vessel 2 to create a fluid-tight connection via a vessel interface 115. The upper seal 116 may be constructed of a soft, pliable polymer as discussed above to facilitate such a fluid-tight connection, or the upper seal 116 may be constructed of alternate materials. In such an embodiment, a separate seal (not shown) may be coupled to the vessel interface 115 to help facilitate a fluid-tight connection with the vessel 2. As noted above, the remaining portions of the cap 102 may be constructed from a same or different material as the upper seal 116.

Referring briefly to FIG. 4, the cap 102 may further include a lower seal 118 in some embodiments. In such embodiments, the vessel 2 may include a lip 6 extending radially outwardly from the interior sidewall 4 of the vessel 2. The lower seal 118 is configured to seal against the lower face 7 of the lip 6 to create a fluid-tight connection. In other words, the lip 6 is received between the cap floor 114 and the lower seal 118. This connection secures the insert 100 more tightly within the vessel 2 and further protects the connection between the insert 100 and the vessel 2 against leaks.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the illustrative cap 102 includes a centrally located splash guard 106. The splash guard 106 covers an outlet 108 formed in the floor 114 of the cap 102 to facilitate the direction of the fluid to the cap edge 110 and the user's mouth. The splash guard 106 further assists with the regulation of flow by causing diffusion of the fluid at the point of impact with the splash guard 106. Because the splash guard 106 impedes the ability to visually locate the outlet 108 while in use, the cap 102 may further include a channel indicator 112 to assist the user or a caretaker in locating the outlet 108. The user may then place his or her mouth on the portion of the cap edge 110 nearest the outlet 108 for proper and efficient utilization of the vessel 2 and insert 100. As illustrated by FIGS. 1-3, the channel indicator 112 may be disposed upon the splash guard 106. In other embodiments, the channel indicator 112 may be placed anywhere else that is visually accessible by the user or the caretaker. For example, the channel indicator 112 may be placed on an upper surface 117 of the upper seal 116 of the cap 102 or on the floor 114 of the cap 102.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, the stem 104 of the insert 100 illustratively includes a stem body 120 having an upper or proximal portion supporting the cap 102. In an illustrative embodiment, the stem 104 forms a cut-out portion 122 to maximize the potential volume of fluid within the vessel 2. In other embodiments, the stem body 120 does not include the cut-out portion 122. The stem body 120 may form any shape, including an irregular shape as shown, or, e.g., a cylinder, a prism, a cone, or other three-dimensional shapes. The stem 104 forms a reservoir 124, illustratively positioned within a bottom or distal portion of the stem body 120, and accessible through an inlet opening 125. The reservoir 124 is configured to fill with fluid when submersed in a fluid being held by the vessel 2. The reservoir 124 may come in a variety of sizes to hold a varying amount of fluid depending on the need of the user. For example, the reservoir 124 may be configured to hold about 2 mL, about 4 mL, about 6 mL, about 8 mL, about 10 mL, about 15 mL, about 20 mL, about 30 mL, about 40 mL, about 60 mL, about 80 mL, or about 100 mL of liquid.

Now referring to FIGS. 4-6, the stem body 120 illustratively forms a channel 126 in communication with the reservoir 124 and the outlet 108. The channel 126 may be formed in any shape, including a semicircle as shown in FIG. 6, or, e.g., a circle, a rectangle, a triangle, or other shapes. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of the channel 126 may vary depending on the need of the user. For example, a smaller cross-sectional area restricts flow of the liquid so that the flow of the liquid through the channel 126 is slower; however, a larger cross-sectional area may be provided for a more liberated flow so that the flow of the liquid through the channel 126 is quicker.

Referring specifically to FIG. 4, when in use, the stem 104 of the insert 100 is at least partially submerged in a liquid 128 held by the vessel 2. The liquid 128 is free to enter the reservoir 124 and the channel 126 up to a level corresponding with the amount of liquid 128 in the vessel 2. As shown in FIG. 5, when the user tips the vessel 2 to drink from the vessel 2, the liquid 128 continues to flow through the channel 126 and out of the outlet 118 into the cap 102 and to the user's mouth. As the vessel 2 is tipped, gravity pulls the liquid 118 to the interior sidewall 4 closest to the gravitational pull of the earth. Because the insert 100 is held in one position, the opening 125 of the reservoir 124 is positioned above the level of the liquid 128 when the vessel 2 is in a tipped position, preventing more liquid 128 from flowing into the reservoir 124 and into the channel 126, thereby limiting the amount of liquid 128 delivered to the user. When the vessel 2 is returned to an upright position as shown in FIG. 4, the liquid 128 remaining in the vessel 2 is free to enter the reservoir 124 through the opening 125 and the channel 126 in preparation for another tipping motion by the user.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in the following claims. 

1. An insert for use with a drinking vessel, the insert comprising: a cap having a floor; a splash guard disposed centrally on the cap, the splash guard covering and spaced apart from an outlet formed in the cap; a stem body coupled to the cap; an opening formed in the stem body, the opening in communication with a volume regulator for holding a predetermined amount of liquid; and a flow regulator formed between the opening of the stem body and the outlet of the cap.
 2. The insert of claim 1, further comprising an indicator disposed on the splash guard to indicate the location of the outlet of the cap.
 3. The insert of claim 1, the stem body forming a cut-out portion.
 4. The insert of claim 1, wherein the stem body is removably coupled to the cap.
 5. The insert of claim 1, further comprising an upper seal disposed around a perimeter of the floor of the cap.
 6. The insert of claim 5, further comprising a lower seal located around a perimeter of the stem body.
 7. The insert of claim 6, wherein a lip of the drinking vessel is received between the floor of the cap and the lower seal.
 8. The insert of claim 1, wherein the volume regulator comprises a reservoir.
 9. The insert of claim 1, wherein the flow regulator comprises a channel.
 10. The insert of claim 9, wherein a cross-sectional area of the channel defines the flow rate of the liquid.
 11. An insert for use with a drinking vessel, the insert comprising: a cap having a floor, the cap forming an outlet; a stem body coupled to the cap; a volume regulator formed within the stem body; and a flow regulator formed within the stem body.
 12. The insert of claim 11, wherein the volume regulator comprises a reservoir formed within the stem body.
 13. The insert of claim 12, wherein the flow regulator comprises a channel formed within the stem body.
 14. The insert of claim 13, wherein a cross-sectional area of the channel defines the flow rate of a liquid held by the drinking vessel.
 15. The insert of claim 11, further comprising a splash guard disposed centrally on the cap, the splash guard covering and spaced apart from the outlet.
 16. The insert of claim 11, wherein the stem body is removably coupled to the cap.
 17. The insert of claim 16, further comprising an upper seal disposed around a perimeter of the floor of the cap.
 18. The insert of claim 17, further comprising a lower seal located around a perimeter of the stem body, wherein a lip of the drinking vessel is received between the floor of the cap and the lower seal.
 19. The insert of claim 1, the insert further comprising an indicator disposed on the splash guard to indicate the location of the outlet of the cap.
 20. The insert of claim 1, the stem body forming a cut-out portion. 